GUEST EDITORIAL: Best Tips and Tricks to Promote Hollywood Movies Using Instagram

by Josh Mathew

Filmmaking has evolved much down the years, primarily when it comes to the personal branding of Hollywood movies. The photo-sharing app Instagram is more than just posting selfies today and more about promoting your movies on the platform to garner more likes, comments, and boost user engagement. The social media experts say that Instagram is the perfect channel to promote feature films for directors, cinematographers, or for that matter, any professional related to visual arts.

2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanMarch 24, 2021Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Highlighted on Rotten Tomatoes for "Nobody"

When a big new film drops, the Rotten Tomatoes news and editorial staff collects thoughts, lines, and sentiments from the early-arriving reviews and features them in a quick collection piece. I was timely and noticed for my recent Nobody review. It's a long way from a pull quote in a trailer or printed on a disc release (and not the quote I would have used from my review), but I won't pass up the spotlight and love from Rotten Tomatoes. It’s very cool to included with the top national critics. Much appreciated, RT! Check out your boy!

2021, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanMarch 24, 2021Comment

PODCAST: Episode 1 of "The Cinephile Hissy Fit" Podcast

The first episode is here! Fellow film critic, dad, and school teacher Will Johnson and I debut with this opening episode on Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Will calls it a masterpiece and I think otherwise. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun this movie encapsulates. Welcome to our new podcast!

Cinephile Hissy Fit, Podcast, 25YL, Media AppearanceDon ShanahanMarch 24, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: 5 Best Documentaries On Amazon Prime To Watch This Weekend

by Crystal M. Wilson

Have you been wondering how to keep yourself busy over the weekend? Movies and documentaries make a perfect fit for anyone who enjoys a bit of TV or general watching. Whether you are visiting a cinema or watching your favorite show from home, make sure to have a worthy playlist. Fortunately, documentary lovers have a variety of choices from Amazon Prime. Below are unique documentaries that make an excellent choice for any weekend, especially if you want to binge-watch.

Don ShanahanMarch 24, 2021Comment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "CinemaJaw" podcast #508

This past week, I was stoked to join my critic peers as a guest on the CinemaJaw podcast, hosted by fellow Chicago Indie Critic members Matt Kubinski and Ryan Jagiello. This was my fourth appearance on their show. CinemaJaw remains one of the best and entertaining movie podcasts in this or any city. Give their work a like and a follow!

CIC, SPECIAL, Podcast, MOVIE REVIEW, Media Appearance, 2021, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 22, 2021Cards Against HumanityNobodyComment

MOVIE REVIEW: Nobody

Our former schlub begins punching, shooting, stabbing, plotting, huffing, and puffing through an escalating network of Russian mobsters. Bob Odenkirk puts his 53-year-old self through two years of training in the hands to become a polo-shirted wraith of wanton violence. In between fights, Odenkirk’s graveled voice and line delivery pushes the severity of his morals and mindset to match his fists and trigger finger. He’s simply awesome and owns this movie.

2021, 4 STARS, Home Media, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanMarch 22, 2021Nobody, Bob OdenkirkComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" Mission Report for Episode 1 of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

The gravy train of creative offerings from Marvel Studios shows no signs of stopping and neither win the efforts of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” led by Ian Simmons, host of the Kicking the Seat podcast and YouTube channel. Welcome to the first “Mission Report” for this squad covering The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series on Disney+. Enjoy Ian, myself, David Fowlie of Keeping It Reel, and Mark Krawczyk of The Spoiler Room Podcast. The new team-up of Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan had us all very impressed to see where this is going.

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanMarch 20, 2021AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, WandaVisionComment

MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" YouTube podcast "Zack Synder's Justice League"

Smashed between Marvel TV shows came the hotly anticipated Zack Snyder’s Justice League from the DC side of comic books and movies. The outpouring of fan ranting masked as support made this happen and the resulting four-hour new take makes a great deal of capital improvements that won over some of “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” and missed for others. Enjoy host Ian Simmons of the Kicking the Seat podcast on his YouTube channel bringing together myself, David Fowle of Keeping It Reel, and Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree to talk all about his new HBO Max epic. Sorry for my late arrival!

Media Appearance, Podcast, Social Media, SPECIAL, 2020Don ShanahanMarch 20, 2021AMC River East 21Kicking the Seat, WandaVisionComment

GUEST CRITIC #62: Pieces of a Woman

by Lafronda Stumn

As busy I get from time to time, I find that I can't see every movie under the sun, leaving my friends and colleagues to fill in the blanks for me. As poetically as I think I wax about movies on this website as a wannabe critic, there are other experts out there. Sometimes, it inspires me to see the movie too and get back to being my circle's go-to movie guy. Sometimes, they save me $9 and you 800+ words of blathering. In a new review series, I'm opening my site to friend submissions for guest movie reviews.

GUEST CRITIC, Independent Film, MOVIE REVIEW, Social Media, Foreign Film, 2021Don ShanahanMarch 20, 2021Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Why "The Interview" Was Almost Cancelled Before Its Scheduled Release

by Kevin Gardner

Even a major movie studio can be vulnerable to a major hack. Sony learned that the hard way in 2014. Before the Sony hack, some in Hollywood may not have asked "What is network security?" or "Why is it important?". Yet this incident, which took place prior to the planned release of the comedy The Interview, showed studios that they needed to better protect their data.

2014, 2021, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 18, 2021Comment

GUEST COLUMN: Best Movies To Show in Your Home Theater

by Lewis Robinson

Many movies are at least as much about spectacle as about story. You can, of course, show any movie in your home theater, but you'll get a lot more out of the experience if you choose those with lush special effects and booming sound. The following are films that can allow you to enjoy what your home theater has to offer to the fullest extent.

2021, Column, Editorial, Home MediaDon ShanahanMarch 17, 2021Comment

How To Make Your Dream Of Becoming An Actor Come True

Some people want to become doctors. Some want to become engineers. And some want to become actors. Contrary to popular belief, becoming a Hollywood actor isn’t as simple as having good looks and being discovered by an agent unexpectedly. What most people don’t recognize is that there is a ton of heart and dedication on the path to becoming an actor. If you want to kickstart your acting career then you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few things you might need to do to make your dream a reality.

2021, Column, EditorialDon ShanahanMarch 16, 2021Comment